Opener Finch smashed a remarkable 156 off 63 balls as Australia earned its first win in any international cricket format in more than 200 days and landed an overdue blow against England after a 3-0 Ashes series loss.

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Former Pakistani refugee Fawad Ahmed (0-43) made his highly-anticipated debut for Australia but it was well and truly overshadowed by Finch's remarkable display of power hitting.

The 26-year-old Victorian had a packed Rose Bowl in awe with an innings that featured a staggering 14 sixes and 11 fours.

He easily surpassed the previous international record of 123 set by New Zealand's Brendon McCullum and became the first Australian to score a T20 international century.

His innings was the third highest T20 score ever, including domestic cricket, behind only knocks from Chris Gayle (175no) and McCullum (158no) in the Indian Premier League.

Finch's display propelled Australia to the second highest team score in T20 internationals, behind Sri Lanka's 6-260 against Kenya in Johannesburg in 2007.

The Victorian was rather understated in summing up his innings.

"It was one of those things, one of those days. The wicket was flat and it made it easier for stroke play. It was nice to get a few early and build on it."

England captain Stuart Broad was far more forthcoming in his praise of Finch's incredible innings.

"We're disappointed to have lost the game but credit to Australia and how they batted," Broad told Sky Sports.

"Finch was excellent. He tried most things, hit sixes and to hit 14 in an innings is quite incredible.

"Some times you hold your hands up and say you were outplayed - he hit his first ball for six and we knew it was going to be a tough ask."

Playing in only his sixth T20 international, Melbourne Renegade star Finch set the tone early with a huge pulled six off his first ball.

Opening alongside David Warner (1) with Shane Watson brought in at No.4, Finch also stylishly brought up his his 50, 100 and 150 with sixes.

Finch's ton off 47 balls was the second-quickest in international T20s behind South African Richard Levi (45) and he looked poised to break that record before a brief lull in his scoring.

He was eventually clean bowled by Jade Dernbach before earning a standing ovation from the pro-England crowd.

Finch received handy support from Watson (37 off 16) and first-drop Shaun Marsh (28 off 21) but it was essentially a one-man show.

Leg-spinner Ahmed had little impact with the ball from four overs but it was hard to read too much into his debut on a batsman's pitch and with England throwing caution to the wind chasing a mammoth total.

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Mitchell Johnson (2-41) and Josh Hazlewood (2-43) took early wickets to set England back even further in their chase but in truth the match was virtually won before the second innings started.

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Broad won the toss and may well lose sleep over his decision to send Australia to bat first on a firm Rose Bowl pitch.

Dernbach took 3-34 as most of England's youthful bowling line-up copped heavy punishment.

Of the victorious Ashes squad, only Broad and Root featured for England.

Now a fresh-faced squad faces a huge challenge to rebound in the second T20 in Durham on Saturday, which precedes a five-match one-day series.

Aside from Finch's knock, there were some other entertaining moments for the capacity crowd.

Root had a ball wedged in the front of his helmet after a short ball from Hazlewood while Ravi Bopara (45 off 28) earned a reprieve after the bails bizarrely took several seconds to fall after David Warner had brushed the wickets with a run-out attempt.

Australia had not won a match in any format since beating the West Indies in a one-day match at the MCG on February 10.

Aussie skipper George Bailey was delighted to help his country chalk up a win, but was under no illusions as to who he had to thank.

"It was pretty extraordinary," Bailey said of Finch's display. "I can only think of Chris Gayle in the Indian Premier League who has done that.

"We spoke to him about hitting sixes, telling him not to try and hit them 40 rows back. As it was, he hit them 40 rows back!"

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